sell
sell
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "sell" is /sɛl/.
/sɛl/
Word Form Variations
Verb: sell (base form), sells (third person singular present), selling (present participle), sold (past tense, past participle)
Noun: sell (singular)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To exchange something, such as goods, services, or property, for money or another form of payment.
Synonyms: vend, trade, market, merchandise, retail
Antonyms: buy, purchase, acquire, obtain
Definition 2: To persuade someone of the value or truth of something, often an idea or concept.
Synonyms: convince, persuade, promote, advocate, push
Antonyms: dissuade, deter, discourage, disinterest
Definition 3: (Informal) To betray or reveal information about someone or something, often for personal gain.
Synonyms: betray, inform on, snitch, squeal, rat out
Antonyms: protect, defend, conceal, keep secret
Noun
Definition 1: An act of selling; a transaction involving the exchange of goods or services for money.
Synonyms: sale, transaction, deal, trade
Antonyms: purchase, buy, acquisition
Definition 2: (Informal) A trick or deception, often intended to take advantage of someone.
Synonyms: swindle, con, scam, hoax, fraud
Antonyms: honesty, truth, fairness, legitimacy
Examples of Use
Books:
"He tried to sell his new novel to several publishers, but found little interest." (Example of general use)
"The true art of negotiation is not to sell, but to inspire people to buy." (From The Art of the Deal by Donald J. Trump, November 1987)
Newspapers:
"Local businesses are finding creative ways to sell their products online amid the current economic climate." (Example of general use)
"The company plans to sell off its struggling subsidiary to focus on core operations." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Is TikTok trying to sell you something more than just viral dances?" (Mashable)
"How to sell your old electronics for the best price." (Lifehacker)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Go and sell your possessions and give to the poor." (From the film Jesus of Nazareth)
Music: "I'd sell my soul for rock 'n' roll." (From the song "Sell My Soul" by The Darkness)
Television: "We've got to sell this idea to the network if we want the show to be greenlit." (Example of general use in a TV show script)
Podcasts: "On today's episode, we discuss why some businesses struggle to sell their innovative solutions." (Example from a business podcast)
Video Games: "You can sell any unwanted items at the general store for a small profit." (From an in-game tutorial in a role-playing game, e.g., Stardew Valley)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm trying to sell my car before I move next month." (Conversation between friends)
"He's really good at selling himself in job interviews." (Comment about a person's skill)
"Don't sell yourself short; you're more capable than you think." (Encouraging advice)
"The politician struggled to sell his new policy to a skeptical public." (Observation about political communication)
10 Quotes Using Sell
"Life is pain, highness. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something." (William Goldman, The Princess Bride)
"The wisest rule in investment is: when others are selling, buy. When others are buying, sell." (Jonathan Sacks)
"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul." (Marilyn Monroe, discussing selling out)
"To sell your soul is the easiest thing in the world. That's what everybody does every hour of his life." (Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead)
"Art is making something out of nothing and selling it." (Frank Zappa)
"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey." (John Ruskin)
"We're in the business of selling pleasure. We don't sell handbags or haute couture. We sell dreams." (Alain Wertheimer)
"If the truth won't sell it, don't sell it." (Arthur Dunn)
"Don't sell yourself short; you're more capable than you think." (Common motivational saying)
"I made my money by selling too soon." (Bernard Baruch)
Etymology
The word "sell" has a pretty interesting history! It comes from the Old English word "sellan."
When it first appeared in Old English (before the year 1150), "sellan" didn't actually mean "to exchange for money" in the way we commonly use "sell" today. Its primary meaning was closer to "to give," "to hand over," "to furnish," or "to supply." It could also mean "to surrender" or "to promise."
Over time, the meaning started to shift. By the late Old English period, the idea of "giving something up for money" began to emerge from this broader sense of "giving." So, you can imagine how "giving" something in exchange for payment naturally led to our modern understanding of "selling."
It's a good example of how words evolve and take on more specific meanings over hundreds of years!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sell
Sell out: To betray one's principles or cause for personal gain; also, to have all items sold.
Sell like hotcakes: To sell very quickly and in large quantities.
Sell short: To underestimate someone or something; to disparage.
Sell a bill of goods: To deceive someone, often by presenting false information or making false promises.
Sell the farm: To risk everything on a single venture.
Sell your soul: To compromise one's moral integrity for personal gain.
Sell your birthright for a mess of pottage: To give up something valuable for something of little worth (biblical allusion).
Hard sell: An aggressive or high-pressure sales approach.
Soft sell: A gentle, low-pressure sales approach.
Sell by date: The date by which a product should be sold.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sell from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
